The line between intellectual and pseudo-intellectual - Terrence Malick

[Sage]

I don't think this topic is really all that complicated. Do Malick's films strike you as shallow or insipid? What specifically do you find pseudo-intellectual about TTOL? The voice over?

[Bean]

This is very true cinematography itself is most often a collaboration between the DP and the director although I'm sure exceptions aren't rare to find. However if you find a movie "unfocused, meandering and not very engaging" but you find the camera movement, framing, and lighting have come together to create the most beautiful film you've ever seen, than I think the DP should be the one winning your awards and not the director.

Agreed! Happily, I think The Tree of Life is on point, engaging, and masterful in its direction and utterly beautiful to behold visually. Best film, direction, and cinematography of 2011!

[Mantas-Ultimate-Version]

Agreed! Happily, I think The Tree of Life is on point, engaging, and masterful in its direction and utterly beautiful to behold visually. Best film, direction, and cinematography of 2011!

I definitely agree with you! ToL to me is a fully realized breathtaking work of art and Malick is my winner for Best Director of 2011. In fact with the passing of time its hard for me to argue against ToL being the best film of last year in general.